Bay watch

What are the unique attractions of a holiday on Skopelos?

Skopelos remains a corner of unspoilt Greece. You won’t find any English breakfasts or Irish bars here, but what you will find are friendly people, beautiful scenery, an unbelievably blue sea, easily accessible beaches, spectacular bays, good food and a pace of life which lends itself to a totally relaxing holiday.

The island is ideal for holidaymakers who want to…

…take a step back and enjoy a quieter Greece away from the busier hotspots.

Is it a good spot for activity holidays?

The gentler activities, yes. In the cooler times of the year, many people come to walk and paint; we have a number of painting schools on the island. There are tennis courts and yoga classes. Speedboats and mountain bikes can be hired, there’s scuba diving on the nearby islands of Skiathos and Alonissos, and there are day excursions to Athens and Meteora on the mainland. But for most of the holidaymakers who come to Skopelos, activity is restricted to swimming, a stroll along the beach, reading a book or applying sunscreen.

What’s your idea of a perfect day on the island?

Perhaps a late breakfast in the sunshine on my terrace overlooking the harbour in one of the Aegean’s most beautiful bays, followed by an hour or two on the beach at Limnonari – one of the sandiest beaches on the island – reading a book and then to Agnondas for a long lunch with friends. And after this, a short siesta before getting ready to take a volta (an evening promenade) along the waterfront before dinner at one of the tavernas on the beach in Panormos, where the sunsets are fantastic.

How does Skopelos differ from its better-known neighbour, Skiathos?

The main difference is that Skopelos does not have an airport; visitors fly to Skiathos and then catch a ferry to Skopelos. This means that Skopelos is quieter than its neighbour and less affected by tourism.

Skiathos has a lively clubbing scene, but those who live on Skopelos would probably tell you that its night life is more sophisticated and the way of life more traditional. Almost all of the tavernas and restaurants here serve traditional Greek cuisine.

Tips for holidaymakers in search of good beaches?

Most of the beaches on Skopelos shelve gently into the sea, and are a mixture of sand, shingle and pebbles, with the sandiest beaches being at Limnonari and Agios Yiannis. Panormos beach has all white pebbles and is edged by tavernas from which to admire the beautiful bay. There are also many sandy coves around the island which are accessible only by boat, a perfect way to get a beach all to yourself.

Some beaches are more lively than others, with kantinas playing differing types of music while others have no facilities at all. Kastani on the western side of the island was chosen for much of the filming of Mama Mia!; it’s one of my favourite beaches.